What Graphic Design Software Is Best to Use? A Designer’s Honest Take After 10 Years in the Industry

Gregory Em
Oct 18
3 min read

If you’ve been in design for any length of time, you know that the “best” graphic design software often depends on who you ask. Some swear by Adobe Illustrator, others are die-hard Affinity Designer fans, and more and more creatives are turning to Canva for its simplicity. After 10 years in the industry, I’ve worked with all three — and while each has its strengths, I’ve learned that the “best” software isn’t always the one with the most features. It’s the one that fits your workflow, goals, and time.

Let’s break it down.

Adobe Illustrator: The Industry Standard (and for good reason)

For most designers, Illustrator is the comfort zone — and the cornerstone — of modern design. It’s powerful, precise, and integrates beautifully with other Adobe products like Photoshop and InDesign. From brand logos and icons to large-format print layouts, Illustrator does it all.

What I love:

It’s reliable and widely supported. Most printers, agencies, and clients expect Adobe files.
The precision with vector artwork is unmatched.
Seamless integration with the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem.

What I don’t love:

The subscription model adds up over time.
It can feel bloated, especially for quick design work.
It’s not always the most intuitive program for newcomers.

After a decade with Illustrator, I can almost navigate it with my eyes closed — and that’s part of the problem. Familiarity keeps me from exploring other tools that might actually improve my workflow.

Affinity Designer: The Contender That Keeps Calling My Name

Let’s talk about Affinity Designer. It’s sleek, modern, and incredibly capable — especially for a one-time purchase (no subscription required). The interface is fast, clean, and less cluttered than Illustrator, yet it delivers much of the same power.

What stands out:

One-time cost — no ongoing monthly fees.
Blazing fast performance, even with heavy files.
Beautiful UI and intuitive layout once you adjust.
Works seamlessly with Affinity Photo and Publisher (their Photoshop and InDesign equivalents).

Where it falls short (for now):

It’s not the “industry standard” yet — so sharing files with Adobe users can be tricky.
Fewer third-party plugins and tutorials available.
The biggest hurdle: time. Learning a new system while balancing client deadlines is tough.

Honestly, if I had the time to fully transition, I believe Affinity Designer could easily replace Illustrator in most professional workflows. It feels like what Illustrator should be — faster, leaner, and more affordable.

Canva: The Simplified Powerhouse for Quick Design

Then there’s Canva — the design world’s favorite convenience tool. I’ll admit it: I use Canva occasionally. When I need to create a quick mockup, a social media graphic, or an editable template a client can update themselves, Canva is unbeatable.

What it does best:

Fast, user-friendly, and web-based.
Great for social media, presentations, and templated design.
Thousands of ready-made layouts and design assets.
Easy collaboration — especially for clients with no design background.

Its limitations:

Not ideal for high-end branding, complex vector work, or print prep.
Limited control over design precision.
Assets and templates can look generic without customization.

Canva is a lifesaver when speed matters more than complexity. But for detailed branding or professional-grade work, it’s more of a supplement than a primary design tool.

So... What’s the Best Design Software?

The truth is, there isn’t one universal answer. It depends on your priorities:

If You Value	Go With
Industry compatibility & precision	Adobe Illustrator
One-time purchase & modern UI	Affinity Designer
Simplicity & speed for quick projects	Canva

As for me — I’m still primarily in Illustrator, but I’m slowly integrating Affinity Designer into my process. Each time I open it, I’m reminded how much potential it has. The biggest challenge isn’t switching tools; it’s finding the time to learn them deeply enough to make the switch stick.

If you’re a new designer just starting out, Affinity might be the smarter long-term investment. But if you’re a seasoned designer like me, Illustrator may still hold the edge — not because it’s better, but because it’s familiar.

In the end, the best software is the one that helps you create without friction — whether that’s the precision of Illustrator, the promise of Affinity, or the simplicity of Canva.